‘SAGAR KAVACH (TN&PY) 01/2024’

Coastal Security Exercise named ‘SAGAR KAVACH (TN&PY) 01/2024’ was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard to check the efficacy and preparedness of security forces and intelligence agencies against possible terrorist attacks along the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Coast from 19.06.2024 to 20.06.2024.

Coastal Security Group, Tamil Nadu Police, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, CISF, NSG, Fisheries, Light House Authorities, Intelligence Agencies, Maritime Mercantile Department, Immigration, Customs, Forest, ONGC, and all the Major and Minor Ports participated in this exercise. About 10000 personnel from all these agencies including 8700 Police personnel of Tamil Nadu Police were deployed in the entire coast of Tamil Nadu to make, the exercise a grand success.

The security personnel were divided into two groups. One group (Red Force) was to make ingress from the sea to target the vital assets / vulnerable points including the high-value targets and Mass gathering tourist spots on the coast, while the other group (Blue Force) was to intercept them both at sea and on land. The Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and Customs deployed ships, Fixed-wing aircraft, Fast Interceptor Crafts, Helicopters, and Hovercrafts. Coastal Security Group deployed 28 boats along the coastline of Tamil Nadu from Tiruvallur to Kanniyakumari. A surveillance drone was also used.

Overall this exercise had achieved the intended purpose. Attempts made at 21 places all over the state to infiltrate into the destination were thwarted and 91 intruders and 10 Rouge boats used by Red Force were apprehended.

During the exercise, a Maritime Hostage Situation mock drill was also conducted by Hijacking a Coastal Research Vessel SAGARTARA by three Red Force personnel off the Chennai Port limit by taking under custody 14 crew, and employees as hostages including the Master of the Vessel.

As per the exercise, on approval of the Government, a Storming Operation was conducted by deploying Black Cat Commandos of NSG along with trained Police personnel from Tamil Nadu Commando Force between 11:30 hrs to 125:0 hrs. Three hijackers were shot dead by the Storming team and their bodies were handed over to Greater Chennai City Local Police for further necessary action. In this exercise, the Indian Air Force asset was involved in the slithering operation of the NSG team on board the hijacked ship. Further, all the hostages and the vessels were rescued. The hostage situation was neutralized under the supervision of the Incident Commander Additional Director General of Police, Coastal Security Group & State Maritime Security Coordinator under the guidance of the Director General of Police & Head of Police Force, Tamil Nadu.

The exercise concluded with a positive note of satisfactory accomplishment of the objectives of the exercise particularly the emergency preparedness and coordination mechanism among various Stakeholders of the Coastal Security construct in Tamil Nadu.